Stinky Trading Pins (Literally)

[Sparrow'sLady]

I need some suggestions on how to remove a funky smell from pins.

I purchased a bag (about 150) of trading pins from the thrift store. They are legit pins, looks like they came from somebody who collected and then did not want them.

They have a weird odor. A combo of stale smoke, a weird metallic scent, something like old shop oils and just a gross musty odor.

I tried a batch of 20 first.....dawn liquid and water, thinking it might just be oils. Let that soak for 15 minutes, scrubbed them lightly and then hand dried. Zero change.
I buried them in layers in baking soda for about 12 hours and that helped only a little.
I then used rubbing alcohol. No change.

Any thoughts on how I can remove the funk?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Here's Google Gemini Ai. Might need a longer time period.

Also, the pins, I presume, are metal, the holders are rubber? I kind of doubt the metal would retain an odor, but rubber certainly would.

https://g.co/gemini/share/85c52b9bffea

 

[Dan Murphy]

Also, maybe ask on the Collectors' board.

https://www.disboards.com/forums/disney-merchandise-and-collectibles.37/

 

[_19disnA]

I would try something stronger than baking soda or alcohol. Maybe try soaking them in some type of household cleaner that has bleach? If they have been sitting around in a sealed plastic bag for some period of time, likely humidity is causing the mildew and the smell you notice.

 

[jimmymc]

I would try leaving them in 50/50 white vinegar/water mix overnight, then let them air dry in the sun. I've also heard good things about La's Awesome Cleaner.

 

[dizneegirl]

I'd test one, but I agree with soaking in vinegar and air drying in the sun.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

I would try leaving them in 50/50 white vinegar/water mix overnight, then let them air dry in the sun. I've also heard good things about La's Awesome Cleaner.

Thanks. I will test it with 1 or 2 pins and see what happens. I did it with the pin backs and they still smell funky. I have not idea what this person did with these or where they kept them, but my goodness....

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

Here's Google Gemini Ai. Might need a longer time period.

Also, the pins, I presume, are metal, the holders are rubber? I kind of doubt the metal would retain an odor, but rubber certainly would.

https://g.co/gemini/share/85c52b9bffea

It is 100% on the metal. If there are any oils on it, like from the skin or something permeating. the odor will indeed stick to the metals. I did a Google AI query before posting. While it can be both, metals can hold odors, unfortunately.

 

[LuvOrlando]

My go for stink removal from Mythbusters is baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, I like using the spray bottles of peroxide from Walmart for even distribution.

I would test on a few pins you are ok with losing just in case it dulls a finish

Do this in an outside spot ideally, if inside open all the windows

https://www.google.com/search?q=myu...ate=ive&vld=cid:b96b9577,vid:scatrGJD7gI,st:0

 

[jimmymc]

Thanks. I will test it with 1 or 2 pins and see what happens. I did it with the pin backs and they still smell funky. I have not idea what this person did with these or where they kept them, but my goodness....

I've been house hunting over the past month and did a deep dive on the effects of smoking inside and thirdhand smoke. That stuff gets everywhere and is very hard to get rid of. But with smoke being stuck in the oils on metal, I'm surprised scrubbing with Dawn didn't make a difference. That stuff is normally pretty good.

The ultimate cleaner for oil and smoke is tri-sodium phosphate, but it's hazardous to breath or touch and can stain metal. If the pins get clean and feel smooth but still smell, an ozone machine could also help.

 

[cabanafrau]

Try putting them in a container with some activated charcoal.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

My go for stink removal from Mythbusters is baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, I like using the spray bottles of peroxide from Walmart for even distribution.

I would test on a few pins you are ok with losing just in case it dulls a finish

Do this in an outside spot ideally, if inside open all the windows

https://www.google.com/search?q=myuthbusters+stink+removal&sca_esv=b652ab54d70f7f26&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS1090US1091&sxsrf=ANbL-n5JOFH55jTsjVUQ34ra6O1tjYzi1w:1781649316877&ei=pM8xapScNeXbptQPjKfkoQo&biw=1710&bih=951&ved=0ahUKEwiU_pX16IyVAxXlrYkEHYwTOaQQ4dUDCBI&uact=5&oq=myuthbusters+stink+removal&gs_lp=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&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:b96b9577,vid:scatrGJD7gI,st:0

Thank you

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

Try putting them in a container with some activated charcoal.

Thank you. I think that is where I was headed next if the long-term baking soda does not work.